Coupling and Parking Lock Actuation With a Single Vehicle Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with electric drive machines and parking lock devices require complex control systems and multiple servo motors, leading to increased operational and structural complexity, weight, and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with an actuating device that integrates both a clutch and a parking lock element, actuated by a single actuator, allowing for automated switching between coupling and decoupling positions, and displacement between parking lock and unlocking positions, utilizing an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator for efficient and fail-safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple servo motors are used to actuate the clutch and parking lock element separately, then the vehicle can be controlled with precise independent control of each function, but the control complexity and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation of the clutch and parking lock element into a single actuating device with one actuator. The actuating element has a first coupling that exerts switching force on the clutch's switching element, and a second coupling that exerts displacing force on the parking lock element. This merging reduces the number of actuators from multiple to one, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining the ability to control both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both clutch actuation and parking lock element displacement using a single actuator. The actuating element incorporates multiple couplings that enable it to interact with both the clutch mechanism and the parking lock device, making one component serve multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated actuators.
2Reliability
If multiple servo motors and separate actuating devices are used for clutch and parking lock, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation systems for the clutch and parking lock element into a single integrated actuating device. By combining what were previously separate actuators and actuating mechanisms into one unified device, the total mass of the actuation system is reduced, thereby decreasing overall vehicle weight while maintaining the necessary functional capabilities.
3Reliability
If separate actuating devices are used for clutch and parking lock element, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the structural complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device integrates both the clutch actuation mechanism and the parking lock element actuation mechanism into a single structural unit. The actuating element contains both the first coupling for clutch interaction and the second coupling for parking lock interaction, eliminating the need for separate structural assemblies and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device is designed as a universal mechanism that can perform both clutch switching and parking lock displacement functions. This multi-functional design consolidates what were previously separate structural systems into one integrated device, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall structure.
4Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to actuate both clutch and parking lock element, then weight and control complexity are reduced, but the actuator must be designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is segmented into distinct coupling regions: a first coupling configured to interact with the clutch's switching element and a second coupling configured to interact with the parking lock element. This segmentation allows each coupling to be optimized for its specific function while being part of a unified actuating structure, making the design more manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device is designed as a universal mechanism that can perform both clutch switching and parking lock displacement functions. This multi-functional design consolidates what were previously separate structural systems into one integrated device, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes an electric drive machine and a coupling mechanism for switching between a coupling position, in which the electric drive machine is coupled to a drive wheel of the motor vehicle, and a decoupling position in which the electric drive machine is decoupled from the drive wheel. The motor vehicle further includes a parking lock device which has a parking lock element movable between a parking lock position, in which the parking lock element blocks a rotation of the drive wheel, and an unlocking position in which the parking lock element releases rotation of the drive wheel. The motor vehicle also includes an actuation device to actuate a clutch of the coupling mechanism, which clutch has a switching element for switching between the coupling position and the decoupling position, and moving the parking lock element between the parking lock position and the unlocking position.